World Athletics Elite Label

🚀 A label for races with ambition

In 2024, 63 races 🏃 received this label worldwide, mainly half-marathons and marathons. From Hong Kong to Toronto, passing through Paris 🇫🇷 and Seville 🇪🇸, these races reveal to the general public the rising stars of running ✨. With its friendly atmosphere and meticulous organization, the events stamped with the Elite Label hold a prime position in the runners' calendar 🗓️. The Elite Label targets structured races with experience and seeks to confirm their position as a leading race. It validates a solid organization, real care for the quality of the course, timing, safety, and especially the athlete's performance, elites and amateurs alike. 🏆

Obtaining this label proves that one can meet the World Athletics standards while remaining agile, local, and rooted in its community and territory. 🤝 It also provides the means to host international-level athletes, in good conditions, with the ambition to progress year after year. 📈 Even if the Elite label is more flexible than the higher levels (Gold and Platinum), it already rests on a specific set of specifications: officially defined course with measurers certified by World Athletics, road closure, coordination with local authorities, quick publication of results, adherence to World Athletics rules, etc. 📝

The anti-doping program is well established, with at least 8 athletes tested on the day of the competition, and the runner's equipment (shoes, outfits...) is also checked. 👟 In short: it is an already highly structured and professional organization, capable of meeting the expectations of both demanding runners and sporting institutions and amateur runners. 👍 Among the races included in this circle are notably the Paris Marathon, the Seville Marathon, the Madrid Marathon, the Lisbon Half-Marathon, and the Rome Marathon. 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 🇵🇹 🇮🇹

🌟 A high-quality elite field with the champions of tomorrow

To receive the Elite Label, a race must host at least 5 athletes of each gender who have achieved a recognized elite performance level by World Athletics, with at least 1,115 points in the WA rankings. Concretely, this corresponds to a time of 2h12'47 in the marathon for men and 2h31'50 for women. ⏱️ These athletes are not yet stars of the international circuit, but they are promising runners, on the rise, seeking a time, ranking points, or a first major victory in an international race. 🥇 These types of races often reveal the future big names in running. Less exposed than Gold or Platinum events, these races offer a fast, competitive framework but with less pressure, making it ideal for full expression. 😊 And to put athletes in the best performance conditions, organizers go all out: cash prizes and records, 💰 logistical support (transportation, hotel), ✈️ dedicated refreshment zones, 🥤 pre-race meetings: pacemakers, dedicated refreshment zones, etc. Verification of attire and shoes for competition.

For Elite label races, World Athletics enforces a minimum prize distribution to the top 8 marathon athletes and the top 5 from other distances:

Elite Label (Marathon)

1st: $15,000 💵

2nd: $7,500 💰

3rd: $5,000 💰

4th: $2,500 💰

5th: $2,000 💰

6th: $1,500 💰

7th: $1,000 💰

8th: $500 💰

Elite Label (other distances)

1st: $5,000 💵

2nd: $2,500 💰

3rd: $2,000 💰

4th: $1,500 💰

5th: $1,000 💰

♻️ A sustainable development strategy

In terms of sustainable development, World Athletics is committed to more responsible and environmentally aware running events 🏃. The organization provides guides on best practices for organizers through its Sustainable Events Management System (SEMS) 🛠️ and a new dedicated program: Athletics for a Better World (ABW). The latter offers 55 concrete actions 📌 covering all aspects of event organization: waste management, transportation, food, inclusion, safety, etc. The objective 🎯 is to guide races, both big and small, toward a more responsible organization. A points system allows events to be recognized 🏅 according to five levels:

Athletics for a Better World Platinum Event 💎: 108 points (90%)

Athletics for a Better World Gold Event 🥇: 96 points (80%)

Athletics for a Better World Silver Event 🥈: 84 points (70%)

Athletics for a Better World Bronze Event 🥉: 72 points (60%)

Athletics for a Better World Certified Event ✅: the organizer has demonstrated a clear commitment to the main sustainable development issues 🌿: 40 points

Although not mandatory, these scores highlight the environmental initiatives 🌎 undertaken in the organization of road races globally. With this progressive and stimulating approach, World Athletics enables organizers to embrace environmental issues at their own pace while relying on concrete tools 🧰.

📣 A visibility leverage for organizers

Receiving an Elite Label is also an opportunity for visibility for cities, clubs, or organizational bodies. ✨ It helps to highlight the event to partners, sponsors, and institutions. 🤝 It is a testament to seriousness, organization, and commitment in a quality approach. For many, it's a strategic step before aiming higher, but already, in itself, a true recognition in the world of running. 🎯 The Elite Label embodies the perfect balance between technical demand and accessibility. It highlights ambitious, structured races, capable of offering a professional setting to both athletes and amateurs. A springboard to high performance and higher labels, it reveals tomorrow's talents while strengthening the local anchoring of events. At the crossroads of performance and sustainable commitment, the Elite label plays a key role in the global running ecosystem. 🔑 A beautiful recognition... and an excellent goal for organizers who strive to propose increasingly spectacular races. 🤩

Want to know more about the other label levels? 🤔 Also check out the articles on the Platinum Label, the Gold Label, and the World Athletics Label.